- Email: [email protected]
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Where on the web materials for use by site designers, health providers and patient advocates who review existing web sites for accessibility, and organisations who are working to ensure that their own websites are accessible. “The Web Accessibility Intitiative also collaborates with technology companies to develop software that facilitates the creation of accessible
sites, such as ‘conversion’ tools that immediately provide alternative ways of displaying information”, says WAI director Judy Brewer. One good example is the free Adobe Acrobat Access reader for Windows (www.adobe.com/support/downloads /5efe.htm); this software enables people with vision impairments to read PDF files (see also Lancet 2000; 356: 142).
Recently, the European Council recommended adoption of the 2001 WAI guidelines for the public websites of the European Commission and its member states (europa.eu.int/comm/information_ society/eeurope/actionplan/actline2c _en.htm), and the US government adopted an accessibility policy for all federal websites. Marilynn Larkin
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute http://www.dfci.harvard.edu/dfhcc/ index.shtml The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website is largely aimed at patients and the media. The opening page has a list of menus, such as adult oncology, paediatric oncology, and so on. From there you are directed to a number of sub-menus with more specific information. There is a well written section outlining common tumour types, the risk factors involved, and the treatments available. This contains information about breast, endocrine and thoracic cancers to name but a few. The information becomes appropriately vague in the ‘treatment’ section, reflecting the difficulties involved in providing generic advice for specific patient problems. There is also important information for patients such as detailed instructions on how to get to the Center, as well as accommodation options.
The site deals with the clinical as well as research sides of the institution. For instance, there is a section dealing with a recently closed endostatin trial. This provides a means of communicating with a large number of patients, which would not be possible on a ‘one-to-one’ basis. Sponsorship is evident throughout the site but it does not include advertising. One example is the Gillette Center for Women’s Cancers. It is clear that the trend towards sponsorship of medical activities is far more developed in the USA than in other Western countries. In the“How to Help” section you can make a bequest, an online donation, or even donate blood or platelets! There is a useful media section for journalists, which outlines the very latest advances in cancer treatment and research at the
Institute. Of interest is the recent formation of the Dana Farber/ Partners CancerCare programme, which aims to link oncology treatment between several hospitals under one umbrella organisation. On the technical side, the pages are slightly slow to load (at least with a dial-up connection), probably due to the frequent use of graphics and some of the links are no longer current. I am not convinced that this site is especially useful to the practising oncologist, but it will be helpful to patients and to oncology nurses as a source of patient information. I think sites such as this lead the way in communication with patients, and help to identify potential clinical trial subjects and benefactors. It will be interesting to see how it continues to develop. Michael Fay
See also: http://www.dfci.harvard.edu/index.shtml
THE LANCET Oncology Vol 2 February 2001
121
For personal use only. Reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.
sites, such as ‘conversion’ tools that immediately provide alternative ways of displaying information”, says WAI director Judy Brewer. One good example is the free Adobe Acrobat Access reader for Windows (www.adobe.com/support/downloads /5efe.htm); this software enables people with vision impairments to read PDF files (see also Lancet 2000; 356: 142).
Recently, the European Council recommended adoption of the 2001 WAI guidelines for the public websites of the European Commission and its member states (europa.eu.int/comm/information_ society/eeurope/actionplan/actline2c _en.htm), and the US government adopted an accessibility policy for all federal websites. Marilynn Larkin
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute http://www.dfci.harvard.edu/dfhcc/ index.shtml The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute website is largely aimed at patients and the media. The opening page has a list of menus, such as adult oncology, paediatric oncology, and so on. From there you are directed to a number of sub-menus with more specific information. There is a well written section outlining common tumour types, the risk factors involved, and the treatments available. This contains information about breast, endocrine and thoracic cancers to name but a few. The information becomes appropriately vague in the ‘treatment’ section, reflecting the difficulties involved in providing generic advice for specific patient problems. There is also important information for patients such as detailed instructions on how to get to the Center, as well as accommodation options.
The site deals with the clinical as well as research sides of the institution. For instance, there is a section dealing with a recently closed endostatin trial. This provides a means of communicating with a large number of patients, which would not be possible on a ‘one-to-one’ basis. Sponsorship is evident throughout the site but it does not include advertising. One example is the Gillette Center for Women’s Cancers. It is clear that the trend towards sponsorship of medical activities is far more developed in the USA than in other Western countries. In the“How to Help” section you can make a bequest, an online donation, or even donate blood or platelets! There is a useful media section for journalists, which outlines the very latest advances in cancer treatment and research at the
Institute. Of interest is the recent formation of the Dana Farber/ Partners CancerCare programme, which aims to link oncology treatment between several hospitals under one umbrella organisation. On the technical side, the pages are slightly slow to load (at least with a dial-up connection), probably due to the frequent use of graphics and some of the links are no longer current. I am not convinced that this site is especially useful to the practising oncologist, but it will be helpful to patients and to oncology nurses as a source of patient information. I think sites such as this lead the way in communication with patients, and help to identify potential clinical trial subjects and benefactors. It will be interesting to see how it continues to develop. Michael Fay
See also: http://www.dfci.harvard.edu/index.shtml
THE LANCET Oncology Vol 2 February 2001
121
For personal use only. Reproduce with permission from The Lancet Publishing Group.